Ok, anyone who has been active duty, reserve duty, coast guard, what the hell ever, I need/want your input.

A little about my situation. I dropped out of Georgia Tech due to the fact that I hated my major and can't see myself doing it for the rest of my life. I've just been working full time to make enough to go back to school next year, as a different major. I really enjoy working on cars and bikes, and would like to eventually make that my career somehow. Lately though, I've been in a downward spiral, as the work I'm doing now is in no way related to what I want to do with my life. I feel like I'm going nowhere, accomplishing nothing. For someone who has had a plan their whole life, since they were six, that's not an acceptable feeling. I've always been curious about the military, my dad did 6 years in the Air Force (Hence the Irish/Korean mix that I am). He's always spoken fondly of his time, and I've always wanted to do something for my country. Plus, I think the military would be a great experience for me, get me farther out into the world (Although I do consider myself a little more worldly and seasoned than many people my age).

Ok, so enough of my rambling about the shambles my life is in, here's the real reason for my post.

I'm considering either Air Force or Navy. Air Force because my dad recommends it, Navy for several reasons:
1. No navy in the world can hold a candle to ours.

2. When's the last time you heard of one of our fleet being sunk by enemy action?

3. Travel

4. TRAVEL

The negative things I hear about the Navy (small spaces, long times at sea, separation from loved ones, etc) are all actually things that don't bother me at all. I don't mind small spaces, being a small guy, I don't mind being away for months at a time, I have no girlfriend, and no relatives that I'm particularly attached to (Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, but I don't feel the need to be constantly near them. I moved 600 miles away when I turned 18, and am lucky to see them once a year.)

I want to go overseas, I want to experience other cultures.

The thing I always wanted to do as a kid was fly a jet (didn't we all?).. however, it's my understanding that the pilot positions are officers only, and require 20/20 vision, which dqs me right off the bat. That's why my attention shifted more toward Navy than Air Force.

Ok, that was even more rambling, I was supposed to come to a point, sorry, it's late, and I'm probably not thinking clearly.

Ok, so... I'm 99.9% sure I want to join the Navy. I'm not sure what I want to do. While I'm an extremely intelligent person, and pick up new skills fairly rapidly, I'm not sure what I'm qualified for. I took the ASVAB my freshman year of high school and aced it, 99th percentiles across the board. So, according to that, I could do just about anything I want in the military. Well, that's probably bull crap, as we all know standardized tests don't mean shaZam!. I like engines, I work well with them, but I have no formal qualifications. I went to Georgia Tech for 2 years, but that's not really a qualification for much of anything either.

I think I'd like to work with jet engines, be a jet mechanic, or something similar on a carrier. Anyone with experience tell me if there's a shot in hell I'd get to do something like that? What to expect? What to tell a recruiter, etc?

Even if you weren't Navy, weigh in with your thoughts on service in general. Thanks in advance to anyone who muddles through this post and gives me insight. Also a big thanks to all those who have served/are serving.

HOOAH
I love the Army, don't get me wrong but it's not for everybody.  Think long and hard before you look at the Army or Marines.
On the plus side you can fly in the Army with no college degree.  You will need to do incredibly well on the AFAST, but most of the guys who take it are tards and it's not that difficult if you have a decent level of mechanical comprehension.  Vision does not have to be 20/20.  It doesn't even have to be 20/20 with corrective surgery, as I recall.  Worth looking into.  And the Warrant Officer Lifestyle is very laid back for most pilots

The Navy has it's perks, also.  I personally wouldn't want to do Aircraft Maintenance for them.  I've heard stories about getting knocked overboard

Wow ngfl quite a career decision, i am actually envious, because im dq'ed across the board, ( diabetic) and most of my family wwas airforce ( my dad, army 1 brother 101 abn, navy other bro

If you were at Tech, you can't be super retarded so I'd guess you'll find that you qualify for most any job.  As far as approaching a recruiter:
Go to a branch you wouldn't really consider joining and ask them to sign you up for the ASVAB.
Once you get your scores research the branch ad jobs you are considering.  Google is a valuable asset.  You can find detailed descriptions of jobs and the qualification factors.  Your ASVAB will consist of a composite score and several category scores.  The composite score truly means very little. Most jobs will just have a minimum category score or potentially minimums for two categories.  You may also come across a physical profile requirement.  At your initial MEPS visit they will evaluate and assign this profile.  Scores range from 1-4 with 1 being ideal.  The profile is evaluated as follows:
P-physical capacity/stamina
U-upper extremities
L-lower extremeties
H-hearing
E-eyes
S-psychiatric ( don't ask I don't know)
For example if you were within all standards except weight you would be assigned a 21111 or 31111.  If you meet/exceed all standards: 111111.
Don't worry about a 2 as long as it's not in the P category.  The recruiter may try to use it to manipulate you. A 2 in any category outside of P can be waivered if necessary.

Go to your recruiter of choice knowing exactly what you want and if they try to talk you out of it just walk out and come back a few days later.  I've seen this tactic land people with no service or experience in CID positions.

And that brings us to security clearances:
Reveal everything!!!!  They do actually investigate. You would not believe how many calls I got from old bosses/neighbors saying that the FBI was asking about me it was interesting explaining that I really hadn't done anything wrong.  The investigator shows up and asks his questions then leaves.  He never reveals the purpose.  Don't worry about credit, as long as  it's not horrible and you reveal it on the initial questionare (SF-84) they don't pay much attention.  Don't worry about traffic citations.  You only have to record ones with a fine over 100.  They only get pissy if you have more than 6 in a short period of time.  I've also heard of misdemeanor drug offenses being waivered as long as it meets a time criteria.  Once you have a clearance it is updated every 7 years.  It's damn near impossible to get revoked unless you are a retard.  Since my clearance I've accumulated : 3 Disorderly conduct charges and 20 points on my license without them so much as sighing when I called command about it

If you're considering flight school... my best friend is at Navy flight school right now, training to fly on MH-53 Sea Dragons.  Also have several friends in various services, mostly out of ROTC or an Academy.  From what I understand, you don't need 20/20 for naval flight school.  You can either get corrective surgery and try to be a pilot (picking in broad categories between jets, helicopters, and cargo planes), or you don't even need that and you can be a naval flight officer (NFO)... think Goose vs Maverick.

It's pretty tough to go into navy flight school without ROTC or otherwise coming out of school.  But they really love engineers (and since you're at Tech, you're probably an engineer).  So if vision is the only thing in your way from trying for your dream job, then go for it.  However, if you opt for flight school, your committment will be much longer (8-10 years) rather than the standard sign-up time. 

That's about all I know, and that's all hearsay from my buddy.  I considered going for ROTC or USNA when I was in high school, and thought long and hard about it.  Honestly, if you're studying at Tech, you have a fair shot at becoming a pilot. 

Terry and others know way more about the recruiting, etc., of course.     And thanks to all who are serving or have in the past. 

Army is the only branch that will even consider you for pilot training without a 4 year degree, and the majority of applicants for the Army's WOFT ( Warrant officer flight training) do have a 4 year degree.  But that really doesn't mean much as far as their intelligence and selections are made based upon a composite of all qualifications.  All earned college credits are considered, not just degreed.  As far as aviation support, with the exception of combat aircraft navigators, all positions are open to enlisted in every branch.  Don't be intimidated if you go to see an Army recruiter about WOFT, and he tells you there's no real point without a degree.  That's BS, he just doesn't want to do the obscene amount of paperwork involved with a WOFT packet.  If he tells you some BS about a degree ask to see the regulations.  In fact, anything out of their mouth you don't like ask to see the regulations.  If they don't produce them, just contact their command. Nothing like a pissed off E-9 to get a recruiter moving
If you really want to fly here's my unbiased advice:
1: Bulk up.  Warrant Officer training is no joke and you will be carrying 80-100lb ruck for 15+ miles
2: Go to a non-army recruiter and ask to take the ASVAB (very important first step)
3: Do a little background research on WOFT and cram on your aerodynamic principles.
4: Present a clean'cut image.  You will have to make a positive impression on many people from the recruiting station commander, to MEPS personnel, to the selection board.
5:  Go to the recruiter with your one option in mind and don't accept it when they try to enlist you for chopper mechanic.  They will BS and tell you that you have a better shot of selection with time in as a chopper mech.  In reality, chopper mech's statistically are one of the fewest selected.  You don't need to know how to fix it to fly it, trust me you won't be making any mid-air repairs
6: absolutely Ace the AFAST ( army flight aptitude selection test)  you will want an advantage.
7: be patient and flexible.  Selection boards are only held a few times a year.

And if anyone even mentions a degree, tell em to talk to me.  I helped a guy with a BA un criminal Justice enlist.  We had to waiver his dumb ass in because he consistantly failed to meet standard on the ASVAB

1  go finish school then go into the navy
2  go in as an officer....saturday ais field day....everybody who is e-6 and below has to clean
    if you are e-5 and lower that is cleaning sh!tters... with the lovely stratification....that could be part of your life for the next 20 yrs
3  change majors...... it's not really what you get a degree in....it's the fact that you have the drive to get it and finish it.
4  DO NOT GO ENLISTED IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
5  If you do, get the GI BILL  !!!!!!!!!!! and go back to school when you get out
6  yes subs are very tiny

I took my asvab freshman year of high school, and aced it. Is it still valid.

To everyone who says go back to school.. yes, I know, that is the best option. But right now, I honestly don't want to be in school. I want to be doing something. I definitely intend to go back to school after serving, with help from the GI bill.

Thanks to everyone for the advice so far. Who knew Special Terry could be helpful? (I'll try to get a receipt made up when I get home from work tonight)

almost any engineering degree wil get you line officer status

some of the fruity degrees will onlt get you ....supply officer....  I can't remember what his degree was in...i think history??

History can have stratgic value.

I didn't think my sub was that small, but then again I'm 5'10", 125lbs.

I was in the AF and HIGHLY reccomend it over the Navy

#1 QUALITY OF LIFE! Nothing compares to the AF standards of living.

#2 You can fly w/o being the pilot. There are MANY aircrew positions that dont require tons of training nor a degree.

#3 The Navy is lame!  . travel is one thing, but if you like your family time dont do it! You will spend MONTHS out at sea and away from home. As far as travel, some Navy friends that I have went NO WHERE!



Just my .02 I loved my time in the Airforce. I think you would too... There are LOTS of oportunitys to do what you want..


Aim High! Air force!

ok, lets try reality check
you are obviously smarter than the average dipsh!t....ya made it into school.
finish what ya started
even if you never use the degree....probably 50-60% go into different fields than what their degree was in

there is nothing kewl about being enlisted....if I'd a known then what I know now.

No that ASVAB score is long gone.  They're only valid for 24 months   You should still easily be able too score very well.  I've taken it twice, the first time a 93, the second a 97.  Virtually any job is open if your score is above 93.  The rest of you guys would genuinly be surprised at the amount of very intelligent recruits that are essentially in the same situation.
Air Force definitely has the most laid back life style, I have a lot of friends who are in the Air Force and they can always get leave and only deploy for short periods.  If you end up going Army be ready for 12-18 month deployments.  Whereas, in the AF you would be looking at a maximum 6 months   If it weren't for the fact that my MOS doesn't match up, I would probably be going into the Air Force when I re-enlist.

I second finishing your degree first.  Then if you want to go into the .mil, you can go in as an officer. 

i did the navy diver thing for 20 years and a bit.  it was great if you had no family and did not mind being gone all the time.  as i diver i also got to do the aircrew thing as a rescue diver. 

rescue diver is probably the only job I would consider in the Navy   It just looks like a lot of fun.

be prepared to spend your career freezing to death and with the taste of salt water in your mouth.   

yeah, that's why I'll more than likely stay Army

I'll paraphrase an old military joke. 

The Army guy has been TDY months.  "This place sucks.  There's sand everywhere, long lines for cold showers, shitty food, long hours.  This place sucks"

The Air Force guy is getting ready to go back home after a short TDY.  "This place sucks.  Only basic cable, no HBO. This place sucks."

Marines here 86-92, I have to agree with some of the other posters, try to finish school first then consider the military. If you just hate the school thing and want to go in Id have to say the Navy, you will have plenty of opportunities to see the world and do many things that the Air Force just doesnt get involved with ie, diving. The main thing is to have a plan before you go in. In the long run you might just find that school isnt much different anyway. Good luck and best wishes to you with whatever you choose.